Content How is a mechanical wave periodic motion What is the

Content: How is a mechanical wave periodic motion? What is the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?

Solution

2. Periodic Motion:

Periodic motion is motion that repeats itself. For example, a small object oscillating at the end of a spring, a swinging pendulum, the earth orbiting the sun, etc. are examples where the objects motion ”approximately” keeps repeating itself. If an objects motion is periodic, then there is a characteristic time: the time it takes for the motion to repeat itself. This is called the period (of the periodic motion) and is usually given the symbol T.

3. Difference in Longitudinal and Transverse waves:

The difference between transverse and longitudinal waves is the direction the medium of the wave moves in relation to the direction of wave propagation. In transverse waves, the medium is displaced perpendicular to the direction of the wave. In longitudinal waves, the medium is displaced parallel to the direction of the wave.